Despite being nicknamed “Whitebeard”, Newgate’s epithet originated from his trademark mustache. This is because the Japanese word “hige” can mean both mustache and beard.
Whitebeard is one of three characters whose name comes from the real life Blackbeard, otherwise known as Edward Teach; the others being Marshall D. Teach and Thatch.
His death is most likely an homage to the death of Benkei, a massive legendary naginata wielding Ronin who was killed by a volley of arrows; yet his corpse remained standing.
The Newgate Prison was a notorious prison in London, active during the Golden Age of Piracy, and where many infamous pirates (and other criminals) were incarcerated; including William Kidd and members of the “King of the Pirates” Henry Every’s crew.
As a child, Whitebeard wore a light colored sleeveless shirt with the word “Power” (力 Chikara) written on it. He also wore shorts and a white bandanna. He had bandaged scrapes and cuts from his fights.
Throughout the Battle of Marineford, Whitebeard received 267 sword wounds, 152 gunshot wounds and 46 wounds from cannonballs — adding up to a total of 465 injuries at the time of death. Despite this, there was not a single scar on Whitebeard’s back showing cowardice.
Whitebeard is widely regarded as the “strongest man” in the world. In comparison, Kaido is said to be the “strongest creature” in the world, though the extent of his powers remains unknown.
Whitebeard is so far the only devil fruit user who hasn’t named his attacks. He does so in the videogames, however they are not canon.
Universal Studios of Japan built a replica of Ace’s and Whitebeard’s tombs. Whitebeard’s epitaph says: “Edward Newgate, captain of the Whitebeard pirates, here lies a great captain and father, liberated from the exhausting role and labor, who captained the Moby Dick in the spectacular Era of Pirates“.
In the 6th Japanese Fan Poll, Whitebeard ranked the 28th most popular character in One Piece, making him the third most popular of the Whitebeard Pirates and the second most popular Yonko.
